There’s a great scene in the hilarious, 1963 movie, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, where, while trapped on a drunk’s plane 2 boobs are ordered to the cabin bar to “whip up a couple of Old Fashioned. For every reason I laugh every time at this scene and used to wonder what was this drink that Jim Backus would send Mickey Rooney and Buddy Hacket to the back of a screaming twin-prop to whip up? Well, after I had my first Old Fashioned, I understood.This drink is damn good. Apparently, an honest to goodness bourbon distiller and a bartender chum came up with this classic back in 1900. Yes sir, Colonel James E. Pepper and a bartender at the Pendennis Club in Louisville were responsible.

This one takes a bit of time and trouble to make but she drinks well and is a drink absolutely conducive to conversation. 3 friends plus 6 old fashioned = 2+ hours of bar talk. There’s just something about bourbon that loosens lips.

Here We Go –

• 2 ounces Bourbon (this drink was made for Early Times)
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 White Sugar Cube
• Soda Water.

Place sugar cube in an old fashioned glass and soak with the bitters. Add a splash of soda to cover the cube and crush cube with a bar spoon. Add cracked ice to near top of glass. Add bourbon to fill. Stir and garnish with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry. I add a twist of lemon peel. Enjoy and gab away.